Webinar on Adaptation and Resilience West & Central African Cities – Forging a Resilient, Sustainable Future

Africa’s urban population projected to double by 2050, cities in West and Central Africa are experiencing some of the fastest rates of urbanization in the world. Urban centers such as Lagos, Kinshasa, Abidjan, and Douala are
growing at annual rates of 3–5%, often without the infrastructure and planning needed to accommodate this growth. According to the UN-Habitat and World Bank, over 60% of urban dwellers in sub-Saharan Africa live in informal settlements, exposing millions to heightened risks from climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and
extreme heat. The Sixth Assessment Report — IPCC underscores both West and Central Africa as highly vulnerable regions, where climate impacts intersect with poverty, conflict, and weak governance to compound risk. Hosting a webinar focused on adaptation and resilience across these regions is not only timely—it is urgent. It provides a vital platform for cross-country dialogue, knowledge sharing, and partnership-building that can drive context-specific, scalable solutions to protect urban lives and livelihoods. With over 400 million people expected to live in the cities of West and Central Africa by 2050, coordinated action now can shape a resilient and sustainable future for
generations to come.
This webinar aims to convene experts, policymakers, and urban planners to explore innovative strategies for building cities that are adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable. Discussions will focus on practical solutions that address critical urban challenges, ensuring long-term resilience in the face of climate change, resource constraints, and evolving
socio-economic dynamics.
The event is organized by The West Africa Capitals Coalition Hub (WACCH)—a collaborative network dedicated to
advancing sustainable development and climate action across West African capitals. WACCH is convened by Natural Eco Capital and The UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Centre for West and Central Africa (RCC WAC Africa), which supports countries in the region in the formulation and implementation of their national climate policies (National
Adaptation Plans, Nationally Determined Contributions, etc.) and the fulfilment of their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.